Pontoon boats are increasingly popular for fishing. Here are the pros and cons

THE PROS

Pontoon boats are known for being comfortable, but when it comes to their capabilities as fishing craft, there’s more to that comfort than just the big poofy seats. Pontoon boats can be surprisingly comfortable to fish from, and their wide, open footprint is a big part of that.

With two or three parallel tubes supporting their patio-like deck, pontoons simply don’t slosh around in the breeze the way V-hull boats do, which makes them outstanding casting platforms. They’re big and wide, so you can fish side-by-side with a buddy or two and never bump elbows. And you can throw big jerkbaits for pike and muskies without fear of an unexpected gust of wind redirecting your partner’s Suick into the back of your neck. Two anglers can even fly cast from the deck without piercing each other’s ears. These are all very good things.

What’s more, the deck arrangement makes it a terrific platform for pitching in shallow water. You’re elevated a little more than you are in a bass boat, so it’s easier to whip out smooth underhand throws, dropping your offering into the prime spots with nary a splash. Being a little elevated makes it easier to judge distance, too, and easier to spot underwater features and fish—again, all good things.

The other benefit of the big deck is you have plenty of space for your feet. No longer do you have to gingerly step around tackle and multiple expensive rods strewn about everywhere as you perform the casting-deck fandango, that intricate on-water dance that’s all too familiar to anglers who regularly fish from bass boats.

The big, wide hull pays dividends when trolling as well, making it a cinch to keep the lines well separated, whether you’re flatlining, using planer boards or pulling leadcore. And the fact pontoons track like they’re on rails makes boat-control a joy.

Need to troll crazy slow? Backtrolling in a pontoon boat, pushing the blunt end of those big tubes through the water, lets you clock speeds so slow your GPS can’t even measure them accurately because they fall within the margin of software error.

Pontoons lets you cast away while other family members sprawl out to work on their tans

Got a gang of kids bugging you to take them to a perch tournament? Nothing fishes a whole bunch of people better than a pontoon. They’re great family boats in that you can cast away while other family members sprawl out to work on their tans, or enjoy the day under the shade of the Bimini top. On some boats, you can even install a Porta Potti with a collapsible privacy enclosure for added comfort and convenience.

There are other more direct comfort elements to consider. Standard Bimini tops do much to keep you feeling fresh by offering a nice break from the midday sun, for example. Add a camper enclosure and a small space heater, and you can stay perfectly comfy while starting and ending your open-water season earlier and later in the year. And no matter when you head out, having a pedestal-mount barbeque on the swim platform can’t be beat. Why resign yourself to cold sandwiches when you can have a fresh burger or a nice hot steak-on-a-bun instead? We’re anglers, not savages, after all.